Uranium pollution already plagues the Grand Canyon and surrounding area, and the push for new mining in the region has sparked outrage and protests among local populations and environmentalists, as well as water utilities in three states whose populations rely on water from the Colorado River. New mines threaten iconic lands and wildlife habitat and are likely to pollute or deplete aquifers, potentially bringing uranium levels in local springs to twice as high as EPA drinking standards.

26 New Mines, 700 Exploration Projects

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the agency’s review showed that without a ban, 26 new uranium mines and 700 uranium exploration projects would be developed, resulting in more than 1,300 acres of surface disturbance and the consumption of 316 million gallons of water. (With a ban, existing mining will continue but is projected to have about one-tenth the surface impacts and one-third the water usage over 20 years.)

The motion was filed by the Havasupai Tribe, Grand Canyon Trust, Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club and National Parks Conservation Association.

"We intend to defend these lands from this ill-considered attack by the uranium industry,” said Ted Zukoski, Earthjustice staff attorney. "The life-giving waters and deer, elk, condors, and other wildlife found there deserve protection from the toxic pollution and industrialization threatened by large-scale uranium mining."